Thailand U23 team prepares for a showdown with China.

Thái Lan - Ảnh 1. — Thailand U23 are determined to defeat China to secure a place in the quarterfinals - Photo: AFC

China's U23 team is highly rated.

After two matches in Group D of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship, China U23 is currently leading with 4 points. Australia U23 (3 points) and Iraq U23 (2 points) are in the following positions, while Thailand U23 has only 1 point, placing them last. In the final round, Thailand U23 will face China, while Iraq U23 will play Australia. Given the current points total, China U23 has the most advantage as they only need a draw to advance. Meanwhile, Thailand U23 must win to progress from the group stage.

In theory, the Chinese U23 team is considered superior to Thailand. The reality has proven this after their first two matches, where the Chinese U23 team remained undefeated, earning 4 points and conceding no goals.

The Chinese U23 team has shown a completely different face compared to previous generations at the Asian U23 Championship, showcasing a squad of high-quality players with impressive technical skills. The strength of the Chinese U23 team lies in their solid defense, which has been the foundation for their two unbeaten matches so far.

Meanwhile, the Thai U23 team is the surprising phenomenon of the tournament. The team from the land of the golden temples arrived in Saudi Arabia with a less-than-optimal squad. However, they played two fairly good matches against Australia and Iraq, but lacked the luck to achieve the results they deserved.

Thailand U23 team holds its fate in its own hands.

But the reward for the Thai U23 team is that they still have their fate in their own hands; they just need to beat China to advance.

Before the tournament, the Chinese press openly belittled Thailand, stating that the Thai U23 team was weak and that the Chinese U23 team had to win all three points. This certainly hurt the Thai U23 team's pride and fueled their determination to win on the field to retaliate against those newspaper articles.

At the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, Thailand's playing quality will be no less impressive than what they showed at the 33rd SEA Games. However, the current Thai U23 team possesses a stronger spirit, fighting spirit, and determination than they did at the SEA Games.

The inability to field a strong and underrated squad in Saudi Arabia actually made the Thai U23 team feel more comfortable. Given the significant differences in spirit and fighting will among younger teams, the Thai U23 team has a solid foundation to spring a surprise against the Chinese U23 team.

* In the match taking place at the same time, U23 Iraq will face Australia (TV360,FPT Play, VTV Can Tho live broadcast). The winner of this match will secure a place in the quarterfinals regardless of the match between Thailand and China.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/u23-thai-lan-quyet-dau-trung-quoc-2026011410082563.htm